But before he had another chance at being happy, he needed to admit that he’d messed up.
“I am so sorry for hurting you, Jacqui. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that I knew Bill Bauer, and that you were related to him. I’m sorry I made such a hash of our relationship.
“For what it’s worth, once I met you, I really did want to make you happy. And I wanted to protect you, or at least help to make your life a little better. I may have started out with a plan, but somewhere along the way, once I got to know you, my plan stopped being important.”
He lifted one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But I would like to help you finish what we started by finding out what Bill left for you.”
Khizar sat still as Jacqui watched him. He knew the next few minutes would determine his future, and although he didn’t deserve her mercy, he hoped.
Chapter 19
Jacqui
Jacqui wasn’t sure what to say. She was furious and hurt, but she understood. Losing someone so close to you was hard; it fundamentally changed a person.
She’d been lucky, finding two people who wanted to adopt her. The Danvers had made a family with her; she’d always felt like they were really her parents, just a second set of them.
If she hadn’t found them? Who knew what would have become of young Jacqui. She might have grown up hardened and untrusting.
And yes, Khizar had his parents, but losing a sibling had to be just as devastating. She could appreciate that he had also lost the ability to trust others. But that didn’t excuse his actions over the previous month.
“I understand that you didn’t want to get close to me. Why didn’t you just ask me about my great-uncle?”
Khizar sighed, which to Jacqui sounded like he didn’t know how to explain.
“Bill never mentioned you, but then, he never mentioned any family. I didn’t know why, and I thought it prudent to learn more before bringing him up. By the time I proposed, I thought I was in too deep to simply ask.”
“If Bill never mentioned me, how did you know so much about me?”
Khizar shifted uncomfortably.
“I have an investigator on staff and he did some research into your background.”
Jacqui’s eyes widened. “You had someone investigate me?”
“It’s standard procedure when we’re looking to acquire an asset,” Khizar said.
Jacqui slowly tilted her head. “Excuse me? An asset?”
Awareness dawned on Khizar’s face and he held out one hand in supplication.
“Not you. The mine. Bill’s mine. More specifically, the Bauer Diamond, which I thought was connected to the mine. Bill had given his entire fortune away, and when he agreed to sell the mine, I thought it was because he needed the money. I had offered to buy the Bauer mine because I had hoped Bill would tell me more about the diamond. When he died—before the sale could be completed—I had research done into who would inherit the mine, and the diamond. That information led me to you.”
“So, this whole time you’ve been looking for the Bauer Diamond?” Jacqui asked.
Khizar nodded. “I’ve wanted to buy it for several years now. It would be a great asset.”
“And again, I have to ask, why didn’t you just tell me you were looking for the diamond?”
“The diamond is a legend. Bill hid it away because too many people wanted it, and he wasn’t willing to sell. If you did know about it, I assumed you would have the same caution Bill did. I didn’t think you’d just tell me.”
“So, you decided to make me fall in love with you, and then propose? And when I said yes, you figured I’d just tell you about my great-uncle and his diamond.”
Khizar half shrugged. “Yes? And that plan kind of worked.”
Jacqui glared at him. “Not helping your case any.”
He nodded. “Sorry. Look, it was an awful plan. I should have just asked you.”
“Is that why you bought everything in the bakery to give away?” Jacqui asked, determined to hear the whole sorry tale, as much as it hurt.
“It’s why I bought everything in your bakery. I do engage in charitable giving; that’s something my parents taught me at an early age. I don’t generally do it in such an ostentatious way, but it seemed like a good way to impress you.”